To mark the centenary of the death of Dublin born composer Charles Villiers Stanford, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral presents a series of five organ recitals given by some of Ireland’s leading organists. Sunday 15 September – David Leigh Sunday 22 September – Stuart Nicholson Sunday 29 September – Andrew Johnstone Sunday 6 October – Judit Mate Sunday 13 October – David Leigh

To mark the centenary of the death of Dublin born composer Charles Villiers Stanford, Saint Patrick's Cathedral presents a series of five organ recitals given by some of Ireland's leading organists. Sunday 15 September - David Leigh Sunday 22 September - Stuart Nicholson Sunday 29 September - Andrew Johnstone Sunday 6 October - Judit Mate Sunday 13 October - David Leigh

VOICES UNITE FOR A SPECIAL CELEBRATION Come & Sing Stanford Evensong with Orchestra at Coventry Cathedral Saturday 28th September Conducted by Nicholas Cleobury Hosted by the Royal School of Church Music Throughout 2024, the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) is marking the centenary of the death of composer Charles Villiers Stanford with events featuring his celebrated choral music. On Saturday 28th September, RSCM will be partnering with Coventry Cathedral to offer a special service of Choral Evensong, where a very large choir assembled from across the region will be singing Stanford’s music accompanied not only by the cathedral’s magnificent pipe organ, but also the full Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra. Evensong services happen in regularly in Coventry Cathedral throughout the week, but to have a full orchestra playing with the singers is a really unusual occurrence. The director for the day, international conductor Nicholas Cleobury, says: “These works are so "orchestral" in concept, with a variety of colours and textures; the sheer range and excitement of a large orchestra, make such an event very special.” The service is taking place on the weekend closest to the date of Stanford’s birthday (30th September 1852). The event is open to all, and the singing fee includes a souvenir copy of all the music. Participation fee: Adult £15.00; under 18s £5.00. Booking deadline 24th September Further information/booking: https://www.rscm.org.uk/events/come-and-sing-stanford-evensong-with-orchestra/ Everyone is welcome to attend the actual service at 16.00; there is no admission charge for the service.

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: “Calm of the Sea and Happy Voyage”, concert overture op. 27 Charles Villiers Stanford: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in C minor op. 126 on the 100th anniversary of the composer's death Edward Elgar: Variations on an Original Theme op. 36, “Enigma Variations” At the centre of the program is the piano concerto by Charles Villiers Stanford, which was created in 1911 and is close to the sound world of Rachmaninoff. We are taking the centenary of his death as an opportunity to remember the important Irish composer. He was one of the leading British masters of the second half of the 19th century, before the only slightly younger Edward Elgar overtook him: with the premiere of his “Enigma Variations” in 1899, a new chapter in British music history was opened and her Author world famous. The concert begins with Felix Mendelssohn's concert overture “Calm of the Sea and Happy Voyage”, which Elgar quotes in the 13th variation of his work and which two Goethe poems served as a source of inspiration. (Four performances of Stanford Piano Concerto No.2 across this time period) Please visit the website for more information.

The annual Stanford Festival will be hosted by the Stanford Society in Dublin in 2024.

Both Stanford and Sheridan were born in Dublin but pursued their careers in England; Sheridan as a prominent playwright and one-time owner of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Stanford as Professor of Music at the Royal College of Music and the University of Cambridge as well as a composer best remembered for his choral works. The Critic was the penultimate of nine operas by Stanford and considered one of his best, having been well received initially and later revived by Thomas Beecham. https://www.wexfordopera.com/programme/festival-programme/the-critic

A performance on the Concert Variations upon an English Theme ‘Down among the dead men’, Op. 71 will take place on the 7 November in Belfast with Simon Callaghan and Jac Van Steen.

A three-day chamber and vocal series focussing on Fauré and Stanford in Vevey, Switzerland. More information to follow.

NSO: Stanford 100 National Symphony Orchestra Gerhard Markson conductor Máire Flavin soprano Sharon Carty mezzo-soprano James Way tenor John Molloy bass National Symphony Chorus David Young choral director Stanford Requiem Former NSO Principal Conductor Gerhard Markson returns to conclude the NSO’s centenary commemorations of Dublin-born Charles Villiers Stanford’s death with one of his crowning glories: the monumental and moving Requiem. Admired by Verdi and cast on the grandest of scales, it is a heartfelt and tender work of involving intimacy and blazing faith in which Stanford’s mastery of drama, opera, song and orchestration come triumphantly together.

Join the Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra for an engaging evening of classical music conducted by Scott Wilson. The program features Elgar’s Cockaigne Overture, which captures the lively spirit of London, followed by Stanford’s Concert Variations upon an English Theme with renowned pianist Piers Lane as the soloist. The orchestra also performs Strauss’ dramatic Don Juan before concluding with Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2 which offers a rich and atmospheric journey. This concert provides a chance to hear these diverse and captivating works performed by talented young musicians. Don’t miss out on a well-rounded evening of orchestral music.